By Roberto Hugo Gonzalez
As originally published by Texas Border Business newsprint edition May 2018
One of the significant challenges for anyone in business is innovation, and the McAllen Chamber of Commerce is not the exception. Steve Ahlenius, President, and Chief Executive Officer is always on the lookout for new ideas and programs where chamber members can be a part of and participate to interact and learn.
That is easier said than done. Last month, the McAllen Chamber debuted its newest program called “1 Million Cups” or 1MC, the short way to say it.
Steve told Texas Border Business that 1MC is a simple way to engage two local entrepreneurs by giving them an opportunity to present their startups to a diverse audience of mentors, advisors, and entrepreneurs. It is a simple program. However, the entrepreneur is faced with relevant questions that help define and better their business.
“The session for each entrepreneur takes only six minutes and includes questions like, what is your story? What is the burning problem? What is your solution? What makes you different? What are your two most significant challenges? And most importantly, how can we help you as a community?” Steve said.
If you take a minute and analyze each of the questions, they read simple, but they bring ideas and solutions to better your business. The fact that it ends with ‘how can we help?’makes this program unique, it makes a big difference. The two participating entrepreneurs had a lot to ask as well.
By listening to the questions and answers, the audience also learns, except when the audience didn’t understand the simple rules of the program where audience make the questions and not necessarily to tell their story.
After the presentation, there is an essential engagement of about 20 minutes feedback from the audience.
Entrepreneurs gain insight into possible ways they can improve their businesses, gather real-time feedback, connect with a community that cares about their progress, and walk away feeling like they have advanced their business.
1 Million Cups it’s now a feature program by the McAllen Chamber. It takes place once a month on the second Wednesday of each month.
Steve always encourages everyone to participate, inviting them to come and tell their stories and get feedback from a live audience armed with cowbells. The cowbells are used instead of the applause so that you can imagine the excitement of the audience.
Mark Davis was the first to make a presentation about his business. He co-owns Rolling With Cream. During his presentation, he said that his company is the Valley’s first ever ice cream shop selling made to order Thai-inspired ice cream rolls.
The company started with a food truck, and now they have a brick and mortar location on 129 West Nolana Ave. in McAllen, which he described as a city with the ever-changing landscape with a one of a kind ice cream shop.
Complementing the session for 1 Million Cups, came another unique business owner Victoria Barrera Cappadona the owner of Cappadona Ranch. This is family business produces Mesquite Bean Jelly a one-of-a-kind Texas treat. Slightly fruity with a hint of caramel. Also, they produce Roasted Mesquite Tea & Coffee. Tea high in protein and caffeine free coffee. What else do you want?
Victoria said that Mesquite trees are found all over the world, from the American Southwest to northern Africa, eastern Asia, and even right here in our very own Rio Grande Valley. She pointed out that that there is a total of over 40 different species of mesquite to be found in this world.
One of the challenges was to come out with a better idea to harvest mesquite. She said that many times, there are lots of mesquites on the floor that cannot be used because of moisture and they can create a mold.
“Well so Justin, my husband he made a basket and attached to the front loader of the family tractor.” She said, “We got the boys inside the basket lifting it a lot higher into prime picking positions, and our boys got to learn the value of the dollar.” She continued, “So we pick mesquite beans all summer,” she said.
Everyone is invited to participate. 1 MC needs startups, advisors, mentors, volunteers, policymakers, attorneys, accountants, potential clients, and the entire community to engage with the startup ecosystem and provide honest feedback and advise while you enjoy a cup of coffee.
Remember, the second Wednesday of every month from 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. at the McAllen Chamber of Commerce located at 1200 Ash Ave. • 956.682.2871
